1944
4300
$400,000
$35,000
$1,461,200
No
Dairy Queen is one of America's most iconic quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands, known for its soft-serve ice cream, Blizzards®, DQ® cakes, burgers, fries, and signature frozen treats. As a franchisee, you become part of a globally recognized brand with over 80 years of operational success and strong brand loyalty. Dairy Queen offers opportunities for traditional and non-traditional franchise formats.
Founded in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, Dairy Queen is owned by International Dairy Queen, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Over the decades, DQ has evolved from a soft-serve-only brand to a full-service fast-food chain while maintaining its dessert-based heritage. The brand operates in over 25 countries and is one of the leading names in franchising in the United States.
airy Queen provides robust training and operational support, including:
Initial training (4-6 weeks) at DQ® University
On-site training before opening
Marketing support including national ad campaigns
Operational support with field consultants and proprietary systems
Real estate and construction assistance
Technology tools for POS, inventory, and scheduling
The ideal Dairy Queen franchisee is:
Business-savvy and financially capable
Passionate about customer service
Willing to be hands-on or employ a qualified management team
Familiar with QSR or foodservice operations (preferred, not required)
Committed to brand standards and long-term business development
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Investment Range | $1,461,200 – $2,426,990 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $400,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $750,000 |
| Ongoing Royalty Fee | 4% of gross sales |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 5–6% of gross sales |
